3 injured when van sails onto grain augers

CLINTON, Iowa — Three people escaped with minor injuries Wednesday when their van left the highway and landed on top of several grain augers at a business near Clinton.

Candice Jean Smith, 18, of Clinton, was driving a 1995 Dodge Caravan eastbound in the 5400 block of U.S. 30 when the van entered the grass median, then went back onto the highway across both eastbound lanes and into the ditch.

The van then went through a metal fence and landed on its side on top of several grain augers owned by Seeser Storage Systems, the Clinton Police Department said.

Smith and her two passengers, Emily Mae Smith, 15, and Katherine Kay Smith, 12, were taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, where they were treated and released.